Laurie Ann & Erik’s Micro Wedding at City Hall

Laurie Ann and Erik’s story began with an online dating profile that gave her very little to work with: a name, one photo, and just enough mystery to raise a few questions. But that single photo showed Erik with his kids in Penn State gear after flying to California for the 2023 Rose Bowl, and as a dedicated Penn Stater herself, Laurie Ann decided it was worth taking a chance.

Their first date was dinner at Barbuzzo, where Erik arrived late, nervous, embarrassed, and dealing with a full bloody nose. Laurie Ann put him at ease right away, telling him that as a mom, she had seen it all.

That small moment became the start of something lasting. They stayed until the restaurant closed, and although both left unsure whether the other wanted a second date, Laurie Ann took another chance and sent him her number. Two months later, they spent Christmas Day together, and her gift to him was tissues.

Their relationship grew through the kind of everyday care that makes love feel steady and real. Erik knew quickly, asking Laurie Ann to be exclusive just a month after their first date. Laurie Ann fell a little more slowly, but the small ways he made her feel safe and cared for became impossible to ignore.

Three months into dating, Erik’s father was in a life-threatening car accident and flown to Philadelphia for emergency surgery. Laurie Ann met Erik and his mother at the hospital, and while sitting with them in the waiting room, she knew there was nowhere else she would rather be.

For Erik, the certainty began at Barbuzzo and became even clearer after his father’s accident and the loss of his dog, Bruno. Through those difficult days, he realized he had found his life partner.

The Proposal:

Erik proposed on Date Z of their Alphabet Dating Challenge, on the way to dinner at Zahav. He suggested a stop at Washington Square Park, though Laurie Ann was cold, hungry, and not exactly thrilled about the detour. As they walked toward Society Hill, they turned onto a candlelit path filled with flowers.

Their song, “Crazy Beautiful,” began playing, and when Laurie Ann turned toward the music, Erik was down on one knee. Her oldest daughter and her boyfriend were hiding nearby to capture the moment, making the proposal even more personal. For their City Hall micro wedding, Laurie Ann and Erik are most looking forward to exchanging vows on the observation deck and celebrating afterward at Flight Club, where they can relax, be fully present, and enjoy the day with the family they love.

Here are our favorites from their micro wedding at City Hall.